--The Thunder will host a pair of neutral site games in Austin and Tulsa as part of a seven-game preseason schedule.

Oklahoma City opens up preseason on the road Oct. 7 at Memphis and Oct. 10 at New Orleans. The Thunder plays its first game at the Ford Center on Oct. 12 against Phoenix and then heads to Tulsa on Oct. 14 to host Miami.

The Thunder plays back-to-back games in Texas, beginning with a contest at Houston on Oct. 19. The following night, Oklahoma City heads to Austin to host San Antonio at the Erwin Center on the campus of the University of Texas. Kevin Durant starred at Texas. Oklahoma City concludes the exhibition slate Oct. 22 at home against Sacramento.

--G Earl Watson was waived when the Thunder was unable to move his $6.6 million contract. The eight-year veteran appeared in 68 games (18 starts) with Oklahoma City this past season, averaging 6.6 points, 5.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 26.1 minutes per contest.

Watson is believed to be headed to Indiana after clearing waivers. If Watson agreed to a partial buyout, it would increase the Thunder's space under the salary cap. Oklahoma City currently has about $11.5 million in room.

Watson holds career averages of 7.3 points, 4.6 assists, 2.2 rebounds in 597 career games (156 starts) with the Thunder/Sonics, Nuggets and Grizzlies.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "That's why we drafted him. We need help right away and he's the guy for our team." -- Kevin Durant, on rookie James Harden.